THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM

GRADES 1–8

Science and Technology

2022
This file is an extract and may not reflect or represent the full Ontario Curriculum.

Printed on 2023-09-01
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This curriculum policy replaces The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Science and Technology, 2007.
Beginning in September 2022, all science and technology programs for Grades 1 to 8 will be based on
the expectations outlined in this curriculum policy.

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Contents
Science and Technology, Grade 1 .................................................................................................................5
Expectations by strand..............................................................................................................................5
A. STEM Skills and Connections ................................................................................................................5
B. Life Systems ..........................................................................................................................................6
C. Matter and Energy ................................................................................................................................8
D. Structures and Mechanisms .................................................................................................................9
E. Earth and Space Systems ....................................................................................................................10
Information for parents ..........................................................................................................................11

Une publication équivalente est disponible en français sous le titre suivant : Le curriculum de l’Ontario
de la 1re à la 8e année – Sciences et technologie (2022)

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Science and Technology, Grade 1
Expectations by strand
A. STEM Skills and Connections
This strand focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
skills, coding and emerging technologies, practical applications of science and
technology, and contributions that people with diverse lived experiences have
made to science and technology. In all grades of the science and technology
program, the learning related to this strand takes place in the context of learning
related to the Life Systems, Matter and Energy, Structures and Mechanisms, and
Earth and Space Systems strands, and it should be assessed and evaluated within
these contexts.

Overall expectations
Throughout Grade 1, in connection with the learning in the Life Systems, Matter and Energy, Structures
and Mechanisms, and Earth and Space Systems strands, students will:

A1. STEM Investigation and Communication Skills

use a scientific research process, a scientific experimentation process, and an engineering design
process to conduct investigations, following appropriate health and safety procedures

Specific expectations
Throughout Grade 1, in connection with the learning in the other strands, students will:
A1.1 use a scientific research process and associated skills to conduct investigations
A1.2 use a scientific experimentation process and associated skills to conduct investigations
A1.3 use an engineering design process and associated skills to design, build, and test devices, models,
structures, and/or systems
A1.4 follow established health and safety procedures during science and technology investigations,
including wearing appropriate protective equipment and clothing and safely using tools, instruments,
and materials
A1.5 communicate their findings, using science and technology vocabulary and formats that are
appropriate for specific audiences and purposes

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A2. Coding and Emerging Technologies
use coding in investigations and to model concepts, and assess the impact of coding and of emerging
technologies on everyday life

Specific expectations
Throughout Grade 1, in connection with the learning in the other strands, students will:
A2.1 write and execute code in investigations and when modelling concepts, with a focus on creating
clear and precise instructions for simple algorithms
A2.2 identify and describe impacts of coding and of emerging technologies on everyday life

A3. Applications, Connections, and Contributions

demonstrate an understanding of the practical applications of science and technology, and of
contributions to science and technology from people with diverse lived experiences

Specific expectations
Throughout Grade 1, in connection with the learning in the other strands, students will:
A3.1 describe practical applications of science and technology concepts in their home and community,
and how these applications address real-world problems
A3.2 investigate how science and technology can be used with other subject areas to address real-world
problems
A3.3 analyse contributions to science and technology from various communities

B. Life Systems
Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
In this strand, students integrate learning from Strand A as they investigate
concepts, develop and apply skills, and make meaningful connections to their lives
and communities.

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Overall expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

B1. Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World

assess the importance of a healthy environment for living and non-living things, and the responsibilities
of humans in contributing to a healthy environment

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Needs and Characteristics of Living Things

B1.1 describe changes or problems that could result from the loss of living and non-living things that are
part of everyday life, while taking different perspectives into consideration
B1.2 identify actions that can be taken to contribute to a healthy environment

B2. Exploring and Understanding Concepts

demonstrate an understanding of the basic needs and characteristics of living things, including humans

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Needs and Characteristics of Living Things

B2.1 demonstrate an understanding of the natural environment as a place where living and non-living
things are interconnected
B2.2 identify the basic needs of living things, including the need for air, water, food, heat, shelter, and
space
B2.3 identify the physical characteristics of various plants and animals, including humans, and explain
how these characteristics help the plants and animals meet their basic needs
B2.4 identify the location and the function of various parts of the human body, including sensory organs
B2.5 describe the characteristics of a healthy environment, including clean air and water and nutritious
food, and how a healthy environment enables living things to meet their needs
B2.6 describe ways in which living things provide for the needs of other living things

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C. Matter and Energy
Energy in Our Lives
In this strand, students integrate learning from Strand A as they investigate
concepts, develop and apply skills, and make meaningful connections to their lives
and communities.

Overall expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

C1. Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World

assess uses of energy at home, at school, and in the community, and suggest ways to use energy
responsibly

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Energy in Our Lives

C1.1 describe everyday uses of energy at school and at home, and suggest ways to use energy
responsibly
C1.2 describe how the lives of people and other living things would be affected if electrical energy were
no longer available

C2. Exploring and Understanding Concepts

demonstrate an understanding of how energy affects their lives, and that the Sun is the principal source
of energy for Earth

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Energy in Our Lives

C2.1 demonstrate an understanding that energy is the ability to move or change something
C2.2 demonstrate an understanding that the Sun is Earth’s principal source of energy, including how it
warms the air, land, and water; is a source of light for Earth; and makes it possible for plants to grow
C2.3 identify food as a source of energy for living things
C2.4 identify everyday uses of various sources of energy

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C2.5 demonstrate an understanding that humans get the energy resources they need from the world
around them, and that the supply of many of these resources is limited
C2.6 describe seasonal differences in how we use energy and in the forms of energy we use

D. Structures and Mechanisms

Everyday Materials, Objects, and Structures
In this strand, students integrate learning from Strand A as they investigate
concepts, develop and apply skills, and make meaningful connections to their lives
and communities.

Overall expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

D1. Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World

assess the impact on people and the environment of everyday objects, including structures, and the
materials they are made of

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Everyday Materials, Objects, and Structures

D1.1 identify the kinds of waste materials produced by humans, and plan and carry out a course of
action for minimizing waste in the classroom or at home, explaining why each action is important
D1.2 assess everyday objects, including structures, that have similar purposes, in terms of the materials
they are made from, the source of these materials, and what happens to these objects when they are
worn out or no longer needed

D2. Exploring and Understanding Concepts

demonstrate an understanding that objects, including structures, have observable characteristics and
are made from materials with specific properties that determine how they are used

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

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Everyday Materials, Objects, and Structures
D2.1 describe objects as things that are made of one or more materials
D2.2 identify structures that are objects designed to support a load, including those acting as supporting
frameworks for objects
D2.3 identify materials that are used to make various everyday objects, including structures
D2.4 describe observable characteristics of various everyday objects, including structures, using
qualitative information gathered through their senses
D2.5 describe purposes of everyday objects, including structures
D2.6 identify properties of materials that enable the objects made from them to perform their intended
function
D2.7 identify different kinds of fasteners and describe uses for each
D2.8 identify sources in nature of some common materials that are used to make various objects,
including structures

E. Earth and Space Systems

Daily and Seasonal Changes
In this strand, students integrate learning from Strand A as they investigate
concepts, develop and apply skills, and make meaningful connections to their lives
and communities.

Overall expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

E1. Relating Science and Technology to Our Changing World

assess the impact of daily and seasonal changes on living things, including humans

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Daily and Seasonal Changes

E1.1 assess the impact of daily and seasonal changes on human outdoor activities, and identify
innovations that enable people to engage in various activities year-round

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E1.2 assess ways in which daily and seasonal changes have an impact on society, the environment, and
living things in the natural environment

E2. Exploring and Understanding Concepts

demonstrate an understanding of daily and seasonal changes and of how living things respond to those
changes

Specific expectations
By the end of Grade 1, students will:

Daily and Seasonal Changes

E2.1 demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s relationship to the Sun and that this relationship results in
daily and seasonal changes on Earth
E2.2 demonstrate an understanding that a cycle is a series of repeating events, and that cycles can be
observed in daily and seasonal changes
E2.3 describe the changes in the amount of light and heat from the Sun that occur throughout the day
and in the four seasons
E2.4 describe and compare the four seasons in terms of the weather, including precipitation and
temperature, in their local area
E2.5 describe changes in the appearance or behaviour of living things that are adaptations to seasonal
changes
E2.6 describe how humans prepare for, and respond to, daily and seasonal changes

Information for parents

A parent’s guide to Science and Technology, Grades 1–8 (2022)For informational purposes only, not part
of official issued curriculum.
For informational purposes only, not part of official issued curriculum.

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